Our Story
The history of Mona Vale, on the banks of the Avon.
The Homestead’s history
The land was originally owned by Christchurch’s infamous Deans brothers. William Derisley Wood later leased the property and built Wood’s Mill; the 19th-century weir on the Avon forms the Mona Vale mill pond, which still exists today.
1899
Frederick Waymouth and his wife Alice purchased four acres of land and had the homestead built on it in 1899–1900, designed by architect Joseph Clarkson Maddison.
1905
Annie Quayle Townend acquired the property and renamed it Mona Vale, after her mother’s house in Tasmania. She expanded the grounds by a further nine acres and added a gate house.
1907
Following the New Zealand International Exhibition, Townend purchased the Exhibition’s fernery — including its plants — and had it reassembled at Mona Vale. She later added a bathhouse, before passing away in 1914.
1939
Tracy Gough purchased Mona Vale and engaged landscape architect Alfred Buxton to design the gardens, adding a lily pond, a swimming pool to the Bath House and plantings of rhododendrons, azaleas and exotic trees.
1962
The Church of the Latter Day Saints acquired the property. When subdividing the gardens and demolishing the homestead was threatened, a public outcry resulted in community fund-raising to save Mona Vale.
1969
Local councils purchased Mona Vale for the purpose of turning it into a public park.
1978
A new chapter began, with Mona Vale operating as a restaurant, café and function venue operated by Continental Catering.
2011
Following the Canterbury earthquakes, Mona Vale’s Homestead closed its doors after sustaining significant damage.
2016
Mona Vale re-opened for events and dining after a two-year, $3.2m rebuild and strengthening project. Offering brunch, lunch and (famously) High Tea’s enjoyed by locals and tourists.